The Government: Condominium Rights Revoked for Crime and Insecurity

The government wants to tighten regulations for condominiums so that condominium associations can more easily repossess an apartment when the owner commits a crime or behaves in a way that creates insecurity for neighbors and residents.

At a press conference, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M), who is temporarily replacing Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M), emphasized that no one should have to live with threats or fear in their own apartment building.

– You should not be able to terrorize a building entrance, says Dousa.

He pointed out that, for example, someone who frightens their neighbors should not be able to keep their condominium without facing consequences. Already today, it is possible to repossess a condominium in cases of serious crime. However, the proposed changes mean that the rules will be expanded.

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In addition to the stricter rules on repossession, it is proposed that condominium associations be given expanded opportunities to deny membership—and thus purchase of a condominium—to people with links to criminal activity. According to the government, the purpose is to give associations better conditions for safeguarding security and protecting the residential environment.

– We are now also giving condominium associations the opportunity to deny a purchase. If you know that a criminal is about to join the association, you can try to protect your own area, Dousa tells SvD.

The proposal has raised questions about how condominium associations in practice will be able to assess whether a person has ties to criminal activity. At the same time, there are concerns that the stricter rules could complicate real estate transactions, for example if a buyer is denied membership in the association at a late stage of the sales process.

From January 1, 2027, a condominium may also be repossessed if the owner contributes to an unsafe housing environment, commits crimes that negatively affect security in the area, or uses the apartment or associated storage for criminal activity.

Similar provisions were introduced for rental apartments during 2024. The purpose of the new rules is to give condominium associations better opportunities to take action against people whose behavior affects the safety of other residents.